Adventure travel in Vietnam – 6 Best Ideas to see

As a land of contrasts, Vietnam offers you a beautiful collection of ecotourism activities capable of meeting all your desires for escape and adventure. On foot, by bike, by kayak, by motorbike, on land, underground, or at sea, come and discover the extraordinary wealth of natural and cultural beauties of Vietnam during your next trip to the land of the dragon.

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1. Trekking through the mountain ranges of Vietnam

A true paradise for hikers, Vietnam offers endless trekking possibilities throughout its territory, but it is especially in the mountain ranges of northern Vietnam that the offer is most interesting. This region of tormented relief offers hikers breath-taking landscapes: grandiose rice terraces, thick jungles, dizzying canyons, forests of limestone peaks, rice-growing valleys, sparkling lakes shining with dazzling light or a sea of clouds as seen from Mt. Fansipan - the roof of Indochina.

Looking forward to discovering splendid landscapes, hiking in Vietnam is also an opportunity to meet a welcoming and endearing population by staying one or more nights with locals in villages where ancestral traditions still resonate. 

>> Read more: Famous hills, peaks and mountains of Vietnam

2. Explore the Vietnamese countryside by bike

Hop on a bike and set off on an adventure through the Vietnamese countryside to discover a Vietnam beyond its tourist facade. There is no shortage of itineraries, both contemplative and sporty. Your cycling adventure in Vietnam can take place in the spectacular scenery of northern Vietnam, on the central coast of Vietnam and its pristine beaches, through the coffee and tea plantations of the Central Highlands, or in the enchanted labyrinth of the Mekong delta.

Traveling by bike in Vietnam will allow you to understand the rich Vietnamese culture from a unique and rare perspective, and to be able to interact more easily with the locals. Just like trekking, cycling tours in Vietnam can be enhanced with one or more nights in a local homestay to make your travel experience completely memorable.

>> Read more: Want to cycle in Vietnam? 6 most beautiful places you must see

3. Discover the fabulous seabed

In Vietnam, the spectacle is both on land and at sea. To see it, leave the land behind, equip yourself with fins, mask, snorkel, or diving tanks for the more experienced, and discover the extraordinary beauty seabed off the Vietnamese coast. The Whale Islands, Con Dao, Phu Quoc, or those off the coast of Nha Trang and Hoi An promise you to experience exceptional underwater adventures. You can observe a beautiful collection of tropical fish, sea turtles, and the luckiest sharks or dugongs, a species of herbivorous marine mammals.

4. Kayak tours in Vietnam

At the water's edge, discover some of the most captivating landscapes in Vietnam by kayak. The kayaking adventure can take place on the magnificent Ba Be Lake surrounded by limestone mountains thick with jungle, Thac Ba bristling with hundreds of small islands in the shape of an inverted bowl, or that of Lak, the natural jewel of the Central Highlands. By kayak, you can explore the corners of the magical Halong Bay and Lan Ha Bay. This will be an opportunity to discover secret coves backed by stone giants and to visit floating fishing villages.

Still by kayak, venture along the Vietnamese coastline fringed with delightful beaches or let yourself be carried away by the Thu Bon River in Hoi An which will take you through landscapes of prints to the East Sea. Accessible to everyone, kayaking promises you a peaceful adventure as a couple, family, or friends.

>> Read more: Top 5 most beautiful destinations for kayaking in Vietnam

5. Caving or underground adventure

A recent adventure activity in Vietnam, caving has found in the country's unique geology an incredible playground such as Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park, known for housing the world's largest underground network of caves. A speleologist's dream, Son Doong Cave is considered the largest cave in the world with its 9 kilometres long and its uninterrupted gallery 200 metres high by 100 metres wide. A 4-day/3-night expedition is organized to explore this natural wonder for a limited number of participants and for a sum that will deter more than one person. Other caves in the park are suitable for caving and although they cannot compete with Son Doong Cave, they guarantee you an unforgettable underground adventure.

>> Read more: Top 8 Vietnam National Parks for Nature-Oriented Trip

6. Discover Vietnam by motorbike

For the traveller who is not afraid to encounter chaotic Vietnamese traffic, the motorbike is one of the best ways to discover Vietnam, popular with many backpackers from all over the world. Northern Vietnam is truly the Holy Grail for all motorcycle adventure aficionados who set their sights on the splendid "photographers' route" revealing spectacular landscapes of rice terraces, in Ha Giang province and its breath-taking karst plateau from Dong Van or Cao Bang province crossed by the famous RC4, an old colonial road which saw bloody battles during the Indochina War.

Other travellers decide to make the great crossing of Vietnam from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City along the Mandarin Road, a fantastic ride during which they have the opportunity to discover no less than 5 heritage sites of Unesco.

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